Seven killed in chopper crash in Darfur as rebels claim they shot it down

July 16, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) spokesperson announced the death of seven military personnel when their helicopter crashed in Darfur due to technical failure, but a rebel group have claimed that they shot it down.

Al-Sawarmi Khalid released a statement on Monday saying that a military Mi-17 helicopter had crashed in the Khazan Tunjur area, North Darfur state. He added that seven of the nine military passengers were killed.

"Three officers and four soldiers were killed in the accident", he said.

The military official explained that the plane was on an administrative mission, without giving further details .

Adam Saleh Abakr, SLM-MM military spokesperson said in a statement emailed to Sudan Tribune that their troops based in eastern Jebel Marra downed the helicopter as it was bombarding Kosoni village.

The rebel group accused the army of regularly bombing villages located in the remote areas of the Darfur region, stressing that the government continues to kill innocent civilians sporadically.

The government on the other hand accuses the rebels of attacking civilians and looting markets in Darfur villages, in order to obstruct its efforts for peace and the return of displaced persons.

(ST)

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Kind regards,

The Sudan Tribune editorial team.

17 July 2012 10:44, by J P Puok

well done though we don’t enjoy when any live is lost but a good Arab is the dead one .
Mini Arko is reforming them
God bless darfuris !!!!!!!!!!!

The lost of young lives is a big blow for North Sudan’s future generations being from friends or from enemy side. But the downing of all NIF militia’s Jets, Antonovs, Choppers and Gunships is an excellent job and necessary to guarantee that civilian villages are not targeted by these killing machines. Minnawe has wasted a lot of time with NIF, but has done a good job since his return to struggle.

Jalaby and Al Sawarmi Saad, this Helicopter crash is because of technical problem, protestors in khartoum and el Obeid are because of technical problem and lack of $$$$ are due to technicla problem and fighting in SK and BN plus Darfur are due to techincal problems. Yes, I understand that all problems in Sudan are due to technical problems.good luck

LOL, that is very fun with North Sudan Government everything is the techincal problems with North Sudan Government. Let everything get good in Ethiopia AU meeting talk between North Sudan and South Sudan of Border Demarcation but North Sudan Government made it fall it will be too bad for North Sudan Government as South Sudan power weapons, is not like last war this is different war.

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